Basics of Gaelic Football
Gaelic football has been described as a cross between rugby and association football (Australian Rules) but the Gaelic game came first. Like rugby, there are 15 players in a team, but like football a round ball is used. Its origins pre-date recorded history, but the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in 1884.
Aim
The team scoring the highest number of total points wins the game.
Three points are scored when the ball passes between the posts beneath the crossbar, with the whole of the ball crossing the end line. However, one point can be scored if the ball goes over the crossbar as long as it passes between the posts. If the totals are level then the game is drawn.
Start
A coin is tossed by the referee and the winning captain has the choice of which end to play from in the first-half. Two players from each side stand one behind the other on their own side of the halfway line facing the referee with all players in their own half of the pitch.
The referee then throws the ball into the air over the head of the players into play.
This is known as a throw-in. When a goal or point is scored, play is started by the goalkeeper of the team which has just conceded the goal or point.
GAA Pitch (Can be reduced for underage football games)
The pitch, or field of play, should be rectangular, between 130m and 145m in length and 80m and 90m in width. It can be reduced for younger players.
A series of lines are marked across the pitch at 13m, 20m and 45m from each end line.
These lines are also marked with flags on the sidelines.
There is also a line in the middle of the pitch, 10m long parallel with the end lines.
Two rectangles are marked in front of each goal.
The smaller of the two is 14m by 4.5m in size, the bigger 19m by 13m.
Players
Fifteen players make up a team of football.
Although a game can be started with 13 players on either side, both teams are expected to have a full compliment by the time the second half starts.
Five substitutions are permitted during the game and should the game go to extra-time, a further three replacements are allowed. If a team has a player sent-off during the game, they may be replaced in extra-time, allowing them to start the added period with 15 players.
Like rugby, temporary substitutions are allowed for players who sustain cuts during a game
Referee
A total of seven people control a GAA game. The match referee is assisted by two linesmen and four umpires. The referee controls everything on the pitch, but the linesmen and umpires also do important jobs.
There are two umpires at each end of the pitch on either side of the goal and they decide if a score is made, the ball has crossed the end line for if a wide or a free is to be awarded.
They signal a score by waving a green flag for a goal or white flag for a point.
The linesmen operate on either side of the pitch and change sides at half-time.
They award sideline kicks and indicate to which side it's awarded and where it shall be taken.
If they spot any foul play on the pitch which they think hasn't been noticed by the referee, they can bring it to his attention at any time during the game.
Play
In football and the ball cannot be lifted off the ground or played with the hands while on the ground.
It must be played with either the feet or hands.
The goalkeeper may play the ball on the ground - provided it's inside his own small rectangle and while in possession of the ball in that area he may not be charged.
The ball can only be carried in the hand for a maximum of four steps, or the time needed to take four steps. After that it must be 'soloed' or passed.
Soloing, in football, means playing the ball with the hand or bouncing it while running with the ball.
The ball can be flicked from a player's hand by an opponent, but only with an open hand
There are 36 technical fouls in football
Foul Play in Football
To over carry or over hold the ball
To throw the ball
To hand pass the ball without a definite striking action
To lift the ball off the ground with the knees
To lie on the ball
To bounce the ball more than once consecutively after catching it
To play the ball with the hands and catch it again before it touches the ground, another player or goal-posts
To wrestle the ball from an opponent who has caught the ball
To throw the ball from one hand to the other without keeping contact with the original hand
To change the ball from one hand to the other without it being bounced or toe-tapped in between
